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Cockfighting could become felony
Friday, February 22, 2008
COLUMBIA — Cockfighting would become a felony under legislation passed Thursday by a Senate panel, bringing South Carolina in line with 35 other states.
The bill would increase possible jail time and fines for fighting game birds, owning them for the purpose of fighting, or attending a cockfight. Currently, cockfighting is a misdemeanor with no minimum fine or sentence, and possession is not a crime.
The legislation, approved on a voice vote, heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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Comments
This article has 8 comment(s)
Posted by DanniD on February 22, 2008 at 6:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree, make it a felony. There is no reason to be cruel to animals for your own entertainment. And Harpo is right, only someone cruel would do such a thing to animals, therefore they have no business owning a gun.
Posted by beenya_toolong on February 22, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, wouldn't you say its sort of cruel to the animals to hunt them down and shoot? Should we make hunting a felony?
Hunting is killing for entertainment, yet, we would never make it a felony NOR SHOULD WE!. Too much government. Gen. Thomas Sumter would be saddened.
Posted by theronce on February 22, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, I oppose cruelty to animals too. However, I am often reluctant to join some friends and neighbors to tell other friends and neighbors what they can do and cannot do with their own property on their own property when it has no effect on me. I do have to agree with PalmettoMan that there is a whole host of things that we can either stop or encourage. The example of speeding is a good one, but making speeding a felony may dry up a revenue source. But there are more harmless potential felonies out there like eating fatty foods, uttering certain words or ideas, and a whole lot more stuff than I can think of right now. Yep, cockfighting is something that is despicable and felonious. If only we would get more serious with the other stuff, then we could be smart and progressive like the rest of the country.
Posted by RTC on February 22, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cockfighting is in the same context as dogfighting. Both so called sports bring pleasure and money to those that enjoy seeing one creature tear another apart.
I have to question the sanity of someone who enjoys this type of thing.
Posted by disco on February 22, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can't believe it's not a felony already. Cruelty to animals should include all animals. Anyone who enjoys this has to be sick and demented.
Posted by CHRISJIII on February 22, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Where is the outrage that was spread all over this site when Mike Vick got nabbed for dog fighting? Are the PETA people out marching in front of the state house? How is cock fighting any less cruel than dog fighting?
Posted by RTC on February 22, 2008 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
CHRIS, I haven't seen where PETA has gotten invoived in this. I guess they are too busy finding monks to pick on.
Posted by magoo on February 22, 2008 at 10:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This will be another way for lawyers to make more money defending and prosecuting these felons.